NPC Friends and Family proudly presents AZ Gives Day 2025

Melanie lives in Chinle Arizona and travels over 700 miles each week to attend classes at NPC’s Winslow location. She has two older brothers, one of whom works as a medical assistant on the San Carlos reservation. She was able to shadow him at work one day, and it piqued her interest in Medical Assisting. She was inspired to start taking classes at NPC. Knowing her family was not financially stable, she worried about the expenses and added financial burden. It made it harder for her to decide to come to college. Melanie has now earned several scholarships through NPC Friends and Family and will graduate with an associate degree from NPC this May. She plans to intern at Sage Memorial Hospital in Ganado Arizona and obtain her Medical Assistant certification.

"It was hard because going to school felt so good, but it was also so negative knowing the financial toll it took on my family. Not knowing if we would have money to make it another week and not go hungry. With the help of scholarships, I don’t have to worry about having enough money to come to school each week and I can focus on my studies. It’s taken a huge weight off. It feels good to be doing this now.”

Graecyn grew up in Show Low, Arizona, and has always been a hard worker. She will graduate this spring at the top of her class. Graecyn has been raised by her mother and grandmother “NaNa,” who taught her that with hard work, anything is possible. She watched her mom work through obtaining her master’s degree while diligently working full-time and raising a family. Seeing her mom accomplish her dreams made Graecyn realize that she, too, could do anything she put her mind to. Graecyn will graduate from NPC this spring and plans to continue her studies at Northern Arizona University (NAU). To attend school, she has wisely used her savings to set up a mobile trailer in the Flagstaff area where she will live with her dog, Bailey, as she attends college.

“The scholarships and support of NPC Friends and Family has been huge for me and my family,” she said. “It has lessened the financial burden, and I can now move on to completing my bachelor’s degree debt-free. My younger brothers are also determined to go to college, and I know that I have set a good example for them, as my mother did for me.”

Rhiannon grew up in the White Mountain Apache tribe and attends classes at NPC's Whiteriver Center. She knows what it means to struggle. She also knows the value of education. She has worked very hard to raise her two young sons on a single income. Carrying out the responsibilities of motherhood while juggling a full-time job and school is no small feat. She is now on track to graduate from NPC this spring and will be attending Arizona State University to obtain a degree in health sciences. She hopes to give back to her community by advocating for better healthcare, wellness education, and initiatives that will truly benefit the people of her homeland. 

“NPC is like a family; it is very close-knit and supportive. I have been blessed to have great people at NPC on my side through this journey. The scholarships through NPC Friends and Family are so beneficial. Without them, going to school was just a dream for me…, not really tangible. I want to set a good example to my sons, and without the assistance of scholarships, none of this would have been possible.”

Rivke is a first-generation college student and has overcome significant challenges to get to where she is today. Raised in the rural community of Dilkon, Arizona, her heritage is a rich blend of Diné (Ashįįhí) and Egyptian roots, with her father hailing from the Yemassee (Głáshchį́) tribe of Georgia. Her journey has been defined by perseverance, self-discovery, and an unwavering commitment to make a positive impact. After serving four years in the United States Navy, she faced the difficult reality of post-traumatic stress. Determined to heal and grow, Rivke fought through her battles. On the advice of her VA counselor, she set out to do something she never thought she would do. Go back to school. She will graduate from NPC this spring and plans to attend NAU to study construction and project management with a focus on humanitarian projects and sustainable development. 

“Everyone at NPC has been so supportive and encouraging. The guidance they have given is invaluable. The thought of attending school was intimidating at first. But going to NPC feels very welcoming. Everyone at NPC is very invested in their students. The people at NPC truly care. With the scholarships, I have the help I need to keep going forward with my studies. I feel loved and like nothing can stop me now.”